Program Description and Schedule

Program Description and Schedule

Week OneThe Adolescent in the Context of Whole Human Development

The AMI Montessori Orientation to Adolescent Studies finds its roots in Montessori history, theory, and practice. The first week examines Montessori’s developmental stages including the intrinsic psychological characteristics of early childhood through adulthood. In order to appreciate the adolescent third plane and its unique contributions to the human personality, it is essential to understand how development manifests itself in the earlier stages. Montessori called the period from birth to age 6 the first plane of education (early childhood). The second plane from ages 6-12 includes the elementary (childhood), and the third plane includes the adolescent, ages 12-18. The participants will experience the environments and the materials for the earlier planes of development, and they will study the needs and characteristics of each of these planes, including the role of the Montessori-prepared adult. (Friday July 4 will be honored as a holiday.)

Week TwoThe Montessori Plan of Study and Work on the Farm

Through practical work and studies, the participants will experience how adolescents use the farm as their prepared environment and how the farm—and the place where it is located—gives direction to both academic and manual work through the occupations and the humanities. The three-period lesson is explored as both a learning cycle and a design structure for scientific and historic studies. The farm will be experienced as a microcosm of society—a social, economic, and nature-bound system that elicits physical, intellectual, spiritual, creative, and social engagement and responsibility.Through examples participants will see how the adolescent can be supported in achieving independence balanced with a sense of belonging and community. Seminars on the Erdkinder appendices will be integrated into the experience of the week, providing not only practice in seminar technique, but also deeper reflection on applying Montessori theory to the work in the farm environment.

Week ThreeThe Montessori Plan of Study and Work: Materializing the Framework for Montessori's Plan of Study and Work

The third week is a further refinement of Montessori adolescent theory put into practice. Montessori’s writings will be explored more deeply in order to provide a framework for planning adolescent study and work in one’s own environment. Montessori’s Plan of Study and Work will be more fully interpreted along with an examination of Montessori’s understanding of social and moral development. Participants will have a variety of opportunities to further their understanding of Montessori’s Plan of Study and Work by 1) visiting other local adolescent community settings, 2) participating in additional seminars to interpet Montessori theory, or 3) attending more detailed workshops on designing and implementing occupations and humanities projects. Case studies of adolescent communities from around the United States will be offered as lenses through which to consider the implementation of Montessori principles in a variety of places and circumstances.Participants will generate ideas for their respective local connections and resources, create a context for meaningful project work, and explore possibilities for community involvement and genuine experiences of social organization based on their own site and in their own communities.

Weeks Four and FiveMontessori's Plan of Study and Work: A More Detailed Examination of Practical Considerations and the Educational Syllabus

The Montessori approach to the disciplines will be considered in the context of Montessori’s Plan of Study and Work. The integration of practical work, key experiences, and intellectual pursuit will be explored. With reference to core principles necessary for staying true to the Montessori vision for the adolescent, experienced Montessori practitioners will offer their knowledge on how and when to frame the work with adolescents.

Participants will choose from the following specialty areas that meet 3 hours daily for implementation framework discussions and for design time.

1. History (Humanities) and Science (Occupations): This session includes project planning, student engagement, key lessons, and research possibilities. Experienced project designers will show how student inquiry methods can involve timelines, maps, charts, experiments, and debates, as well as a three-period approach to key lessons. Workshops on the integration of language arts into all areas of study will be offered as part of the humanities and occupation planning process.

2. Mathematics, Math Connections to Science, and Technology: Specialists will offer an overview of a unified, 12-18 program in mathematics integrating algebra, geometry, trigonometry, calculus, the history of mathematics, discovery-based and project-based lessons. The use of technology connecting math and science will be demonstrated. Participants will design projects and key lessons in mathematics.

3. Advanced Work with the Older Adolescent: Specialists will present philosophy and frameworks of separate subject-area studies and integrated studies appropriate to the increasing specialization of the older adolescent, ages 15-18.

4. Foreign Language: A specialist will present foreign language approaches based on Montessori principles and current research. Theme and skill-based units will be generated integrating language studies with community activities and other subject area disciplines.

Individual Design Work: The fourth and fifth weeks provide opportunities for planning one’s own work, which includes writing a vision statement and a prospectus, as well as preparing a plan of study and work to implement this vision over the course of at least one year. Experienced specialists will continue to share their knowledge and experience through lectures as well as through individual coaching.

Conclusion: The orientation course will conclude with participants submitting their collected work of notes, essays, and lexicons, as well as their plan of study and work and prospectus to be reviewed by the course advisors. Course staff members and advisors will conduct exit interviews with each participant to provide an opportunity for reflection, discussion, and consolidation of understanding of the work accomplished in the course. A graduation brunch and ceremony will celebrate the collective work of the group.

Our operations are currently being moved to Seattle from Ohio. During this rather untimely transition, we appreciate your graciousness.

Our membership requests are currently backlogged, but will be processed once we return from Dallas. If you are purchasing a ticket for Dallas and desire the member rate, we still have the ability to verify existing and new memberships.

All ad requests will also be addressed post-conference.

Store order fulfillment will also be delayed as we set up our new store. We anticipate our store re-opening in December. If you have submitted an order in the past two weeks, that you need right away, please contact us for a refund. If you are able to wait until December, we would be happy to send your order at that time. We understand that this is a less than ideal situation and apologize for the inconvenience.

And if you are still interested in coming to Dallas, but have not yet purchased your ticket -- we are offering a special discount. 3 tickets for the price of 2! This is a $330 savings! To take advantage of this discount please go to: https://namta.typeform.com/to/BJjDdD